Simplify the operation
Reduce (simplify) the fractions to their lowest terms equivalents:
- To reduce a fraction to the lowest terms equivalent: divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, GCF.
The fraction: 128/64
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 128 = 27
- 64 = 26
- Multiply all the common prime factors: if there are repeating prime factors we only take them once, and only the ones having the lowest exponent (the lowest powers).
- GCF (128; 64) = 26 = 64
128/64 = (128 ÷ 64)/(64 ÷ 64) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
128/64 = 27/26 = (27 ÷ 26)/(26 ÷ 26) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 137/69
137/69 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 137 is a prime number.
- 69 = 3 × 23
- GCF (137; 69) = 1